Category: Sustainability

To some, climate change is a simple scientific question to be answered with data while to others climate change is a misguided hoax that could cost our country jobs and hurt out economy. The question is why do some people end up on one side of this debate and others end up on the other? This talk by Librarian Troy Swanson will focus on climate change but also ask participants to think about how they make decisions about other charged topics. What processes are at work and how can we step in and make better decisions? This event is part of MVCC’s Earth Month Celebration. ?

Special guest Stephanie Domingo, Chicago Director of the Factory Farming Awareness Coalition discusses the ecological and public health impacts of industrial agriculture, and the power of our food choices. This event is part of MVCC’s Earth Month Celebration and is organized by the MVCC Center for Sustainability and the Earth Science Department.

Energy is a multidisciplinary subject touching each of our daily lives, yet its governing concepts remain abstract to most. This presentation will promote energy literacy to a wide audience. We will discuss the credibility of information about energy and communicate about energy and energy use in meaningful ways. This knowledge will allow us to make informed decisions based on an understanding of impacts and consequences. This will provide the audience a greater understanding why we need to thoroughly understand our current energy systems to cope with the sustainability issues we are facing. This event is organized by the MVCC Center for Sustainability.

Dr. Jin Ho Jo is Associate Professor of Technology at Illinois State University, teaching in the Renewable Energy program. As the Associate Director of the Center for Renewable Energy, he also leads the Solar Power Research Group. His research, which has been widely published, focuses on the use of renewable energy systems and sustainable building strategies to reduce negative impacts of urbanization. His 2010 Ph.D. from Arizona State University was the nation’s first in sustainability.

Dr. Jim Angel, Illinois State Climatologist will present the real science and facts about climate change and its impacts on the Chicagoland region. Lincoln Cohen will speak about his experience in the Climate Reality Project, an intensive advocacy and awareness training program first developed by Al Gore. He will also discuss opportunities for the audience to engage in climate policy advocacy. This event is sponsored by the MVCC Center for Sustainability.

Dr. Jim Angel, Illinois State Climatologist will present the real science and facts about climate change and its impacts on the Chicagoland region.

Real Talk: Climate & Advocacy
Wednesday, April 18th , 11am-11:50am, noon-12:50pm, Building L, Library Lounge
Dr. Jim Angel, Illinois State Climatologist will present the real science and facts about climate change and its impacts on the Chicagoland region. Lincoln Cohen will speak about his experience in the Climate Reality Project, an intensive advocacy and awareness training program first developed by Al Gore. He will also discuss opportunities for the audience to engage in climate policy advocacy. Both will be available for more questions and discussion following the 12 PM. Refreshments will be provided after the 12PM presentation in the Library Cafe.

This is an image of a dead seabird that ate some of our trash that has been floating in our oceans.

Did you know that China has been the garbage dump of the world for the last 20 years? I thought you wouldn’t know. Well, they have had enough, and now the rest of the world is scrambling to get rid of its trash. Read this article from the Huffington Post. Click here to see how our love, especially for plastics, is going to have to be addressed.

Check out our listing of upcoming programs for the Spring 2018 term. Timely topics! All are free and open to the public.

Are You A “Sexpert”? Sexual Health Workshop for the College StudentFebruary 1, 12:30pm-1:45pm, Building L, Library Lounge
We welcome special guest Patty Murphy, M.S. CADC to speak about sexual health. Topics may include consensual sex, communication, STD/STI prevention, obtaining consent, and dispelling sexual myths and misconceptions. This event is part of our One Book, One College program on the book We Believe You.

Progress in Stopping Sexual Assault? Public Outcry and Finding a New NormalThursday, February 8th 11am-12:15pm, Building L, Library Lounge
Recent high-profile sexual assault/harassment revelations in politics, entertainment, and journalism has shifted the national conversation, asking us to reckon with the structures that normalize harassment, protect abusers, and silence victims. This faculty and staff panel will discuss this current wave of accusations and its roots in rape culture, taking into consideration how we arrived at this historic moment and what possibilities exist for a more just future. This event is part of our One Book, One College program on the book We Believe You.

MOSAICS: Translating, Preserving and Creating New Knowledge: The Role of the House of Wisdom, Mosques, Schools, and LibrariesTuesday, February 13, 12:30pm-1:45pm, Building L, Library Lounge
This interactive lecture introduces the value placed on libraries, mosques, schools, and the House of Wisdom during the Golden Age of Islam, for this is where the vibrant culture of learning and discoveries thrived. It looks at the respected place given to librarians, translators, scientists, philosophers, and thinkers who translated and studied books from different lands, and created more knowledge and advanced understanding. Audiences will hear about a few of the many developments that occurred in these important places of learning. Special event that is part of the Mosaics: Muslim Voices in America program.

Hot, Warm, & Cool: Healthy Romantic RelationshipsFebruary 14, 10am-10:50am, Building L, Library Lounge
Over the centuries love has been described and defined in many different ways. Intimacy, passion and commitment are the warm, hot and cool elements of a healthy romantic relationship. Join us for an overview and discussion about what comprises a healthy romantic relationship and learn what prevents you from having the relationship you want and deserve. This event is being organized by the Counseling and Career Development Center as part of our One Book, One College program on the book We Believe You.

Why Suffer in Silence? Questioning Mental Illness Stigmas and Empowering the African-American CommunityThursday, Feb. 15, 12:30-1:45 p.m., Building L, Library Lounge
Moraine Valley students will hear about emotional suffering as well as mental stigmas in the African-American community. The session discusses how to empower one another and begin the path to healing and hope. This event is part of MVCC’s Black History Month Celebration.

Live Museum and Monologues ProjectTuesday, Feb. 20, 10:45 a.m.-Noon 12:30-1:45 p.m., Building L, Library Lounge
Hear their stories. Learn about prominent black historical figures followed by a discussion on the history, role and impact they had on society. Figures include: Katherine Johnson, Barack Obama, The Supremes, James Baldwin and Misty Copeland. This event is part of MVCC’s Black History Month Celebration.

Sexual Violence in America’s 20th CenturyThursday, Feb 22, 11am-12:15pm, Building L, Library Lounge
Sexual violence has been an often present and yet often little recognized component of American history. Associate Professor Josh Fulton examines the role gender has played in the American story in the 20th century, and how prevalent sexual violence was throughout key periods in this time in America–from the ‘Jazz Age,’ the Jim Crow South, the Great Depression, World War II, and beyond. This event is part of our One Book, We Believe You program.

The Underground Church in North Korea: Experiencing Life Across the 38th ParallelTuesday, March 6th, 12:30-1:30pm, Building L, Library Lounge
Special guest Dr. Augustine Sohn, physician and associate professor at the University of Illinois, discusses his experience as a missionary in Korea. He will talk about the background, history, politics, religion, and the separation of North and South Korea. He will connect Christianity to the underground church, and talk about the connection with his church and North Korea. This event is organized by Moraine Valley’s Christian Fellowship.

Readings from We Believe YouWednesday, March 7th 1pm-1:50pm, Building L, Library Lounge
The MVCC Forensics Team (speech team) perform sections of the book We Believe You: Survivors of Campus Sexual Assault Speak Out by Annie E. Clark and Andrea L. Pino. This event is intended to give voice to the survivors in the book. This event is part of our One Book, We Believe You program.

Male Victims of Rape and SurvivorshipThursday, April 5th, 11am-12:15pm, Building L, Library Lounge
Brendan Yukins from Rape Victim Advocates will be speaking about the most common reason for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in men: sexual violence. Society at large stigmatizes men who have been raped, from joking about them in the media to denying male victimization in the criminal justice system. Brendan will be delving into American masculinity, how it compounds trauma for male survivors, and how we can redefine masculinity as a society to create a world free of shame for the 1 in 6 men who will survive sexual violence in their lifetime. This event is part of our One Book, We Believe You program.

Real Talk: Climate & AdvocacyWednesday, April 18th , 11am-11:50am, noon-12:50pm, Building L, Library Lounge
Dr. Jim Angel, Illinois State Climatologist will present the real science and facts about climate change and its impacts on the Chicagoland region. Lincoln Cohen will speak about his experience in the Climate Reality Project, an intensive advocacy and awareness training program first developed by Al Gore. He will also discuss opportunities for the audience to engage in climate policy advocacy. Both will be available for more questions and discussion following the 12 PM. Refreshments will be provided after the 12PM presentation in the Library Cafe.

Disorders and dolls: reducing stigma around mental illnessTuesday, April 24, 2pm-3:15pm, Building L, Library Lounge
Honors psychology students will create dolls to represent a psychological disorder as part of their Abnormal Psychology class project. Each student will be tasked with designing a figurine to coincide with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V) diagnosis. During the event each psychology student will present their project to the campus community and helped raise awareness about mental health issues with the goal of reducing stigma towards mental illness.

The science of global warming has been known for nearly 150 years, and we are now starting to experience tangible impacts on the world’s climate. We humans perceive these changes as gradual, but compared to natural cycles, they are unprecedentedly rapid. Fossil fuel combustion is closely linked with the development of a modern industrial society, coinciding with rapid growth of global population. But the buildup of greenhouse gases is creating serious side effects that have now become crystal clear. These facts present humanity with a monumental challenge. We need to bring all of our technological and philosophical wisdom to bear if future generations are to inherit a manageable global system. This lecture will explain the basic science of climate change, our energy systems and technologies, the role of agriculture, and what kinds of things we must do to secure a brighter future. Special event part of our STEM series.

We are excited to host these two talks on climate change in the Library this fall. The first is organized by the MVCC’s Sustainability Office and the second is part of our STEM series. These events are free and open to the public.

Climate, Energy, Our World, Our Future featuring Rick Knight Tuesday, November 14th: 11 AM – noon
The science of global warming has been known for nearly 150 years, and we are now starting to experience tangible impacts on the world’s climate. We humans perceive these changes as gradual, but compared to natural cycles, they are unprecedentedly rapid. Fossil fuel combustion is closely linked with the development of a modern industrial society, coinciding with rapid growth of global population. But the buildup of greenhouse gases is creating serious side effects that have now become crystal clear. These facts present humanity with a monumental challenge. We need to bring all of our technological and philosophical wisdom to bear if future generations are to inherit a manageable global system. This lecture will explain the basic science of climate change, our energy systems and technologies, the role of agriculture, and what kinds of things we must do to secure a brighter future. Special event part of our STEM series.

Freestyle rhymes calling for action from “Raptivist” JoeyFineRhyme!
This interdisciplinary discussion looks at climate and waste, parallels these crises with other great challenges that have been met, draws inspiration from what previous movements have accomplished, and imparts knowledge to students on what they can do. This event is part of Moraine Valley’s Earth Month programming.

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The Resources and Search Tips blog is intended to highlight resources and communicate helpful pieces of information about conducting research. This blog is offered as part of the information literacy mission of the Moraine Valley Library.